Palace aide dares Corona lawyers to answer allegations

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang Palace aide called on Chief Justice Renato Corona’s defense panel to answer the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s finding that he has millions of dollars stashed in 82 bank accounts instead of attributing the report to an administration conspiracy against the magistrate.

Abigail Valte, one of President Benigno Aquino’s spokespersons, said it was Corona’s lawyers that subpoenaed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to discuss her basis for investigating the magistrate’s alleged $10 million in bank deposits.

“The defense should remember they were the ones who asked for Ombudsman Carpio-Morales to testify. Now that she has done so and her testimony does not favor them, they should not drag in other government agencies that are simply carrying out their mandate,” Valte said in a text message.

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“It would be better for them to answer the accusations against their client instead of continuing to malign President Aquino,” she added.